Day 5, Sumatra Bound

Day 5, Sumatra bound

Jodi and I are the only two teachers that traveled to another island. Sumatra is a large island located north of Java. The flight was only 45 minutes but first we had to get to the airport. Did I mention that the traffic is horrible? I saw 4 people on one scooter. The previous record had been three.

We flew into the capital of South Sumatra, Palembang. Jakarta is challenged with sanitation, and is incredibly crowded. Palembang also has its issues but there seemed to be a better quality of life for the general citizens. The city straddles the Musi river. Many of the houses along the river date to colonial times and are the homes of long time Palembang families. There is a floating market that travels up along the river carrying goods to the house boats and floating villages that line the Musi.

Jodi purchased a traditional Songket, which is a ceremonial dress/scarf for women. Palembang is famous for these hand woven Songkets. One garment takes 3 months to complete. There were pictures of First Lady Laura Bush purchasing one from the same weaver we went to. The really expensive garments are woven with gold and serve as a status symbol for people native to Palembang. The ones below contain gold.